A 41-year-old woman has been charged in a hit-and-run crash in September that left a 17-year-old Ed White High School senior dead, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday.
Karlotta Dowdy was arrested Friday and charged with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in serious bodily injury. She bonded out of jail on Saturday.
According to police, Alaysha Williams was hit by multiple cars while crossing Blanding Boulevard and Cedar Hills Boulevard on the morning of Sept. 30. The multi-sport athlete and beloved Ed White student died two days later.
Two of the three vehicles that hit Williams stopped and the drivers cooperated with investigators. Because Williams was not in a crosswalk, they were not charged.
But JSO traffic homicide investigators learned that a third vehicle left the scene. They got footage from a nearby business showing the driver stopping several blocks away, checking her vehicle for damage, and then driving off, leaving Williams’ backpack behind.
SO said with the help of the public and JSO’s Real Time Crime Center, authorities identified the vehicle and the driver: Karlotta Dowdy.
“While these cases are heartbreaking to investigate, bringing answers to the victim’s family is paramount,” said Sgt. Robert Hungerford, JSO’s Traffic Homicide Unit supervisor. “Detectives worked swiftly to gather evidence, conduct interviews, and make the necessary arrest.”
Police said Dowdy initially denied hitting Williams, claiming she had struck another vehicle at the scene. But evidence indicates Dowdy knew or should have known she had struck a person, investigators said.
According to JSO, the investigation revealed that Dowdy was driving the second of three vehicles to strike Williams. Although it cannot be definitively determined which vehicle caused the injuries that led to Williams’ death, video evidence indicates Ms. Dowdy’s vehicle caused significant bodily injury.
A warrant for Dowdy’s arrest was granted last week and she was taken into custody on Friday at her home by District 4 task force officers.
“Our hearts go out to Ms. Williams’ family members, friends, classmates, and teammates during this tragic time,” JSO wrote in a post on social media announcing the arrest.
News4JAX found several previous traffic citations for Dowdy in Duval County, including several speeding tickets, running a stop sign and driving without a seat belt.
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Source: news4jax
